Another Year Wiser

I celebrated my 88th birthday last week, and I’m thankful to say that I’m feeling younger, stronger and wiser than ever.

I get asked almost every single day what motivates me to keep working and stay active, and my answer is simple: nothing is impossible if you stop putting limits on yourself.

One must always take calculated risks in life, but let me say this: the world belongs to optimists.

When I first became a fund manager in my 50s, many people thought that was too ambitious (or too late, too bold — you name it) because social norms tell us that we shouldn’t make a career change late in life, and that we should retire when we hit a certain age. We, as humans, often limit ourselves to boundaries we set for one another.

But the truth is — life is what you make of it.

Looking back on my life as a fund manager, I realize I’ve made a lot of mistakes. But I’m glad I made them and that I’ve learned from them. This is precisely why I believe now is the best time to take advantage of my decades-long experience to set up a new fund, which is planned for launch in January 2025.

Regarding market volatility, I refer to the words of Sir John Templeton: “The best time to invest is when you have money.” That means investing wisely can be done at any time, regardless of the state of the market or the volatility, as long as your methodology and parameters are sound.

As I step into this new chapter, I’m aware of how quickly the financial landscape is evolving. Innovation, particularly in technology and emerging markets, offers unprecedented opportunities. But innovation is not just about using the most advanced technology; it’s also about mindset. We have to be continuously learning, adapting, and welcoming the new while drawing from the lessons of the past.

Looking back and planning for the future, I find myself more optimistic than ever. The challenges we face today, from economic shifts to geopolitical uncertainty, are opportunities in disguise. I look forward to using my experience to navigate these challenges and help others do the same.

The journey is far from over, and I’m genuinely excited for what lies ahead.